Leesburg

The town of Leesburg, Va. will step back in time 200 years at the annual "August Court Days" Saturday and next Sunday. August was time when the court was in session and a time for much socializing and merrymaking.The streets of Leesburg will be blocked to traffic and transformed into a street fair of colonial times with a town crier announcing the day's events, wandering minstrels, mimes, troubadours, and over 100 craftspeople. A reenactment play on the courthouse lawn recalls local events in 1791.

At tomorrow's "First Night" celebration in Leesburg, Va., nighttrippers can join residents in a family-oriented, non-alcoholic festival.At 6:30 p.m. residents will honor the memory of Gen. George C. Marshall. A procession of children will walk from the general's home, Dodona Manor, to his statue at Courthouse Square for a brief ceremony.The merrymaking begins at 7 p.m. and includes entertainment by gospel, blues, barbershop and ragtime jazz musicians; Middle Eastern ethnic dancers; puppeteers; and storytellers.

On April 24, 2008, DOROTHY GWEN "Dorothy" FRIED, 65, loving mother and grandmother, former modern dancer, instructor, and choreographer and community organizer, of Leesburg, VA, died, at Loudoun County INOVA Hospital of complications from cancer. Ms. Fried had battled metestastic breast cancer for six months. Ms. Fried recently moved to the Leesburg area to care for her beloved grandchildren after school whom she often described as the joy of her life. Previously, she lived in Columbia, MD, and operated the Arts PlayCare Center where she engaged preschool children in various creative activities, such as dance, music, fine arts, story-telling, puppetry, gardening and nature exploration.

For the second time in five years the August Court Days Festival in Leesburg, Va., has been named one of the top 20 events for the month of August by the Southeast Tourism Society. The festival will take place Aug. 19-20 in the courthouse area of Leesburg's historic district.In Colonial times August was the month when county judicial courts held session, bringing an influx of visitors to town. Farmers came to sell their produce, itinerant peddlers offered a variety of goods and services, and street musicians found an enthusiastic audience.

August Court Days will bring our Colonial forebears to Leesburg, Va., next weekend. Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe will be there, along with more than 100 other costumed re-enactors, who will present street vignettes, participate in 18th-century dances, demonstrate fencing and give lectures on period clothing.The August event is a re-creation of the days in the mid-to-late 1700s when the court was in session and farm families in the outlying areas came to town to hear the latest news, exchange gossip, buy and sell wares and enjoy the street entertainment.

Quaint shops and eateries lining red-brick streets provide pleasant strolling grounds for a leisurely day in historic Leesburg, Va. Surrounding the town, stately manors, frolicking horses and hills rolling to the Blue Ridge Mountains entice those who venture to Leesburg to take a scenic drive through the countryside. Leesburg, originally called George Town in honor of King George II, was established in 1758 from land originally held by Lord Fairfax. It was eventually renamed to honor the Lee family of Virginia.

By Nancy Taylor Robson and Nancy Taylor Robson,Special to the Sun | February 15, 2004

Catoctin Mountain rises in the distance on my right as I cruise down Route 15 past wheat-colored meadows and pastures dotted with sleek, long-legged horses. I've left Frederick and crossed the Potomac River, the line between Maryland and Virginia, on my way south to Leesburg. My husband's schedule didn't permit a winter getaway and friends weren't available, so I'm on my own. But after a long holiday season spent catering to my nearest and dearest, I'm primed for a selfish couple of days away.

On Friday, June 20, 2003, THERON SETH NELSON, age 79, of Leesburg, VA. He was predeceased by his wife, Vera Nelson. He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Nelson Aiosa of Leesburg, VA and his son, David Theron Nelson of Reisterstown, MD. He is also survived by five sisters, Mary Seabolt, Gladys Brown, Idell Nix, Lillie Everett, all of Blairsville, GA, and Pearl Hutson of Ballground, GA; grandson, Kory Nelson and granddaughter, Melissa NelsonA graveside...

On August 3, 2005, KATHERINE C. MILLS, (88) Resident of Leesburg, VA. Prior to residing in Leesburg, Mrs. Mills was a resident of Catonsville, MD. Her husband, William Mills, preceded her in death, as well as her brother John "Jack" Cantwell; and sister, Marian Dean, both of Catonsville, MD. Mrs. Mills is survived by her son, William (Kathleen) Mills, Jr., Leesburg, VA; her brothers, Richard Cantwell, Fairfax VA; Robert Cantwell, Raleigh, NC; her sister, Mary Jane Kraft, Moorhead City, NC and two grandchildren, Laura and Megan Mills.

Dorothy E. Eckels, age 83, of Leesburg, FL, passed away on August 6, 2007. She was born in Baltimore, MD and moved to Florida in 1988. She was a Lutheran. She is survived by her husband, A. Ernest Eckels of Leesburg, FL; son, E. Ronald Eckels of Baltimore, MD; daughter, Sharon S. Harris of Tamarac, FL; one granddaughter, Tina Noel Bozetski of Davie, FL. A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home, 226 East Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares, FL 32778.

On July 1, 2006 JULIA G. "JUDY" CWALINA of Leesburg, FL, formerly of Baltimore, MD. She is survived by husband Benjamin "Ben" Cwalina, son Paul Benjamin (Suzanne), daughter Robin Denise Cwalina; three grandchildren Heather Golt, Alexandra Cwalina and Taylor Cwalina. Friends may call on Wednesday, July 5 from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at Beyers Funeral Home. Services on Thursday, July 6 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. James P. Holden officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Assoc.

Chuck died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs Disease on March 16, 2006. Born April 15, 1951 in Baltimore, MD, he was a 1969 graduate of Dulaney High School in Timonium, MD where he played Lacrosse. He also played soccer for the Lutherville, Timonium Optimist Club. He graduate from the Air Force Academy in 1973 and served in The Air Force for seven years before retiring as a Captain. Chuck resided in Leesburg, Va where he worked for Lockheed Martin for over 20 years.

On February 22, 2006 MS. FRIERVisitation at 2140 N. Fulton Ave. on Tuesday, 2-8pm. The family will receive friends in the chapel on Wednesday at 12:30pm. Funeral at 1pm. Florida. Devoted husband of the late Carolyn (nee Ludwig), survived by daughter Teresa (Terri) Friesner and her husband Randall, of Florida, son John, and his wife Cindy, of PA, and brother Charles Friesner, and his wife Delores, of MD. Born Nov. 14, 1928, Mr. Friesner moved from Baltimore to Leesburg, FL in 1995. Retired from Cavanaugh Press, he enjoyed fishing and his partnership in My Sweet Shoppe in Leesburg.

On October 24, 2005 JAMES RALPH LINGUADOCA, Age 75, of Leesburg, FL. Mr. Linguadoca was a retired salesman for a business forms company. Born in Middletown, CT, he moved to Central, FL in 1997. He was a longtime resident of Monkton, MD and was in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Survivors include his wife Dorothy M. Linguadoca, of Leesburg, FL, son Joseph E. Linguadoca of Arnold, MD, daughters Susan A. Haviland of Jarrettsville, MD and Diane M. Ator of Bel Air, MD, sisters Rose Flood and Kathleen Harris both of Chester, CT, Carolyn Hart of East Haddam, CT and six grandchildren.

EDWARD J. ROCKSTROH, 73, of The Plantations at Leesburg, FL., passed away Monday, September 12, 2005. Born in Baltimore, MD, Ed and his wife Marian moved to Leesburg in March of 2000 from Shallotte, NC. He was an operations manager for IBM/Ceridian prior to his retirement. Ed was a veteran of the US Army and active in the events at The Planations. Surviving with his wife, Marian Rockstroh of Leesburg is one son Edward J. (Barbara) Rockstroh, II of Suwanee, GA and a daughter, Margaret (David)

EDWARD J. ROCKSTROH, 73, of The Plantations at Leesburg, FL., passed away Monday, September 12, 2005. Born in Baltimore, MD, Ed and his wife Marian moved to Leesburg in March of 2000 from Shallotte, NC. He was an operations manager for IBM/Ceridian prior to his retirement. Ed was a veteran of the US Army and active in the events at The Planations. Surviving with his wife, Marian Rockstroh of Leesburg is one son Edward J. (Barbara) Rockstroh, II of Suwanee, GA and a daughter, Margaret (David)

On August 3, 2005, KATHERINE C. MILLS, (88) Resident of Leesburg, VA. Prior to residing in Leesburg, Mrs. Mills was a resident of Catonsville, MD. Her husband, William Mills, preceded her in death, as well as her brother John "Jack" Cantwell; and sister, Marian Dean, both of Catonsville, MD. Mrs. Mills is survived by her son, William (Kathleen) Mills, Jr., Leesburg, VA; her brothers, Richard Cantwell, Fairfax VA; Robert Cantwell, Raleigh, NC; her sister, Mary Jane Kraft, Moorhead City, NC and two grandchildren, Laura and Megan Mills.